The Bluffton Police Department partnered with community organizations for the third year to package Thanksgiving Day feasts for needy families to lend a hand and hopefully change perceptions.

With Grace Coastal Church providing turkeys, canned goods and stuffing, members of the force worked with its volunteers in a police training room “assembly line” preparing 18 boxes of food that will serve 13 families. The department has more planned for Friday.

“It’s a way for us to reach out to members of the community to let them know we’re here to work with them rather than against them,” said Lt. Joe Babkiewicz.

The department identifies families through churches, day-to-day scene reports, school resource officers and word of mouth, he added.

The department actually helps identify willing recipients that are off the beaten path, said third-year volunteer John Tilly, adding the program provides an important service while potentially changing hardened attitudes.

“Now, maybe that face (of an officer) isn’t just associated with bad blood, and they’ll come forward in the future when they need to,” he said.

Volunteer Tonya Allen said this is her first time on the other end of charity.

“I just wanted to help because I’ve been helped,” she said. “We’re from the same end of town.”

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